If you’re really on top of your clubbing game, then you may have noticed a new genre of music cropping up on the odd flyer about town. And for once it’s a trend that hasn’t started in London. The sounds of ‘niche’ are slowly filtering down from the north of England, where promoters in and around Manchester and Nottingham have been championing the sound for some time.

Unfortunately though, like new-rave, which wasn’t quite new and wasn’t quite rave, niche isn’t so niche either and if you’ve heard the current big tunes, you wouldn’t be a fool to consider it a case of reinvention. Sounding a lot like UK (speed) garage back in the early 90’s – think TJ Cases, Scott Garcia, Monsta Boy or the Wideboys – 2 step blended with 4/4 and a more modern bassline house twist, it’s a wonder this isn’t all the work of some marketing team at a record label. As it goes, it’s actually the current generation of clubbers too young to know what’s gone before, that have coined the term niche to describe the kind of tunes heard playing at popular Sheffield spot, yep you guessed it, Niche.

The biggest track on the niche club circuit to look out for is T2’s ‘Heartbroken’. Two major record labels are in a bidding war over it and thanks to it’s popularity with those returning from the holiday isles of Malia and Ayia Napa, don’t be surprised if it’s infiltrated your life come September. Naturally, garage fans aren’t complaining. When grime became the fashion, the garage producers of yesteryear seemed to fall into obscurity. Only the likes of Todd Edwards, MJ Cole and Wookie, who’s making some great house records these days, pop up on the radar, so older fans are now hoping this is a new era of quality garage emerging. So why aren’t we seeing any strictly niche nights yet?

DJ Matchstick (Warner), who is resident at True Skool, Bar Rhumba which supports niche, thinks it’s a matter of time. “There is some resistance to this sound in London but DJs like Sticky are playing it and EZ has been pushing tracks in the clubs and on his Kiss 100 show. DJ O.P (Pik ‘N’ Mix) from Manchester is now staying in the capital - he’s definitely one to watch if you want to find out about niche.”

If it’s all too confusing or you’re shrugging your shoulders, there’s another style of dance from up north to celebrate on Friday night. Dead Disco, the female electro-pop punk trio from Leeds, who fall somewhere inbetween Gwen Stefani and Debbie Harry, will be playing their single ‘You’re Out’ and oldies like ‘Automatic’ and ‘The Treatment’ at Computer Blue: The Final at Bar Music Hall, Shoreditch. The girls reckon coming to see them in all their northern glory will ‘change your lives for the better.’ Given that entry’s free, it’s a damn good start.

Last week I got asked for id at the Rhythm Factory. Despite a slight moment of panic at not having any - apparently anyone can have a Sainsburys reward card these days - I was flattered. At 26, it’s been more than a few years since a doorman’s asked me that. My happiness didn’t last long, concern setting in I told the big guy to look at my face, the lines, my stress… he agreed, there was no way I was under 28! Like what! As a result I’ve resigned myself to getting denied access to the Underage Festival this Friday, missing the perfect excuse to have a day off and drink alcohol-free wine. In case you’re really late off the mark, Underage is the worlds first strictly under 18s festival, which takes place at Victoria Park this Friday. If you’re 17 or under and have £20 to spare, you’ll be able to catch teen favourites such as Cajun Dance Party, The Teenagers, Mystery Jets and I Was A Cub Scout upfront and personal. The event isn’t a new concept mind you - 14-year old wonder-boy promoter Sam Killcoyne has already enjoyed success with his parties thrown at The Coronet, where he lined up the best in new bands and live music. I considered trying to blag my way in by getting his phone number and pretending I was pregnant with his love child, but I didn’t want his mum to get involved. It got me thinking of other under 18 events I could try and barge or belch my way into, but there aren’t a great deal to chose from. Maybe I’m underestimating the work load – additional responsibility, more security, higher insurance – but what is there in club land for for teens-with-no-means aka money? With a lack of youth clubs and summer fun-for-nothing, it’s a shame there’s not weekly under 18s nights to be found in all pockets of the capital. At the moment, if bands aren’t your thing then it’s all about Rhythm at Copyright in Wapping, where on the fourth Saturday of each month, from 6pm-10pm, over 13s are supplied the biggest tunes from club land with dancers thrown in for kicks.

I have found an alternative for grown-ups mind you. This may sound like one for the kids but aside from the proceeds going to the Teenage Cancer Trust, it’s good old adult fun. This Friday at the Islington Academy, you can bare witness to the annual Air Guitar Championship. The inner will even get to represent in the World Championships in Finland later this year!

If you want to get back to reality and avoid thinking about real adult problems, like how to forge an under 18 id card, join the queue for Buzzin’ Fly on Sunday where Ben Watt and Chris Woodward will be pushing the deep underground, electronic house, warm techno, bleeps and atmospheric emo-soul… whatever that means. Kids these days.

Call me old-fashioned or simply old, but the thought of spending any amount of time is my idea of hell. Should you be looking for more than drunken nights and regrets from your summer holiday, here's an alternative guide I did recently for The London Paper.

Sunday, 12 August 2007

Think you've seen a good stage show, then check Prince for further example of a showman. Good article in The Sunday Times Culture today on the same subject, have to agree, it's also a shame he doesn't make songs like he used to. However, the only real downside for me was that he didn't perform Diamonds & Pearls. Highlights included Purple Rain (obviously), Nothing Compares 2 U, Hattie nearly crying and Emmanuel and co's dancing.

Fresh coffeeManiac - Sorry You Are (instrumental)Apple juice with a Brucey bonus mint leafRobyn's albumThe smell of something burningPrince - Diamonds & PearlsDreaming of a holidaySecret Handshake - Summer Of 98 (P.O.S Remix)Knowing I had a good nights sleepKano - Over & OverThe wonders spring cleaning does for the mindMIA - $20 Knowing later I will listen to Jeff Buckley